Horses Flashcards
What are chestnuts on horses?
Hard, calloused growths on the inside of a horse’s legs, above the knees and below the hocks.
What are chestnuts made of?
Keratinized skin that grows like fingernails.
Do chestnuts serve a purpose today?
No clear purpose, but may help with limb positioning.
Can horses feel their chestnuts?
Not on the surface, but they can feel the base where it attaches to the skin.
What are ergots on horses?
Smaller, hard callouses found at the back of the fetlock joint.
What is the function of ergots?
Possibly help guide water away from the heel to prevent hoof diseases.
What’s the difference between chestnuts and ergots?
Chestnuts are above the knee/hock; ergots are at the fetlock.
Can chestnuts and ergots be removed?
They shouldn’t be fully removed, but can be trimmed if overgrown.
What are chestnuts sometimes called?
Night eyes.
What evolutionary purpose do chestnuts represent?
They are remnants of toes lost during horse evolution.
